BREAKING: HOW THE YANKEES GOT PETTITTE BACK

Chances are you have heard that earlier today the Yankees announced that Yankee great Andy Pettitte has come out of his brief retirement and rejoined the New York Yankees.  Pettitte signed a one year minor league deal worth around $2.5-million.   What sealed the deal took place just a few days ago. Pettitte was in Orlando with his family but in the early morning of March 10th he secretly headed over to Tampa and met with Cashman and Yankee brass to throw a bullpen session. Apparently both the Yankees and Pettitte liked how that session went because Pettitte is now back in pinstripes.  But there is so much more to this story.  Just how did the Yankees get Pettitte back?  During the Yankees exhibition game today on YES, Brian Cashman and Andy Pettitte joined the broadcast at different times to explain how the signing went down and it was amazing to hear!

In December, Cashman was being interviewed in New York and he mentioned how he would welcome Andy back anytime but did not want to disrespect Pettitte's decision to retire and spend time with his family.  Apparently Pettitte was talking to a local reporter around the same time period and was asked if would ever come back. Pettitte said something to the effect that no one would want a 40-year-old lefty who has been retired for a year. But then the reporter went on to tell him what Cashman said about welcoming him back. It was at that point Cashman and Pettitte got in touch and Pettitte asked and was invited to come down to Tampa as a special intructor and work out.  Here's were it gets really interesting...when Cash and Pettitte spoke he asked Pettitte if he would consider coming back and actually made him "a substantial amount of money" offer and Pettitte said he just wanted to work out and turned down the offer. Wow!

Also, one thing to keep in mind and Cashman mentioned it during today's interview, the Yankees had yet to make that blockbuster trade of Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda, nor had they signed Hiroki Kuroda.  But Cashman let us inside his head a bit.  He said that trade was indeed something he was working on at the time he spoke to Pettitte in December but certainly could not say anything.  Talk about having your hands tied!

Anyway, as we know Pettitte did come down to Tampa last month as a special instructor and in the meantime was throwing his own bullpen sessions on the side!  Can you believe that?  There is no doubt Pettitte was seriously considering attempting a comeback.  In fact, in his own words, while in Tampa last month he was asked about how he felt working out with the team and missing the game and this is what he said...“I’m sure I could,” Pettitte said when asked if he could still pitch. “You start training, working out and getting yourself into shape. I’d imagine you could.”  So there you go, the writing was on the wall but who saw this coming?

It was great to hear Pettitte live on YES talking about how excited he is to come back.  He said he talked to his family and they were 100% behind his decision.  We all know how important family is to Andy so hearing that news was great.  Pettitte also said that Mariano Rivera took him aside the first day Pettitte showed up as a special instructor and said "come on, let's go!  One year of retirement is enough!" Ha, love it!

BYB could not be happier to have Pettitte back in pinstripes where he belongs and we cannot wait for him to be back on the mound in the Bronx.  Sure there are questions that still need to be answered such as what kind of shape will he be in?  In Pettitte's own words he told Ken Singleton that he is not worried about his arm, its his legs he needs to get in shape.  Cashman mentioned the same thing today.  Also, Pettitte is starter #7 in a five man rotation so where and when he pitches is something we will just have to wait and see.  The Pettitte news is blowing up the internet and just about every sports show across the country. And, next to winning a World Series, I haven't seen fans so happy!  Be sure to check back with BYB throughout the days as we bring you opinion and analysis of the Andy Pettitte signing.

Welcome home Andy!

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer
Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com
Twitter: @MikeyBlu23


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